Latest news with #Lacroix
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Can AI take your order? Welcome to the restaurant of the future.
It turns out Elon Musk might be on to something with his retro-futuristic Tesla Diner. With sci-fi classics playing on giant drive-in screens, servers dashing by on roller skates, and EVs and robotics on display, the Tesla CEO appears to have cued into something ultra-trendy. Industry insiders told Business Insider that in the next few years, many eateries will be cashless, use robots for customer interactions, and lean into old-school design elements. So while every restaurant won't be a clone of theinstant West Hollywood landmark, Musk's latest business venture will fit right in. "I think we're going to start to see more restaurants that are sort of like time capsules, where there's this interesting reinterpretation — futuristic, but with this nostalgia to it," Alexis Readinger, founder of Preen, Inc., an architecture and design studio that specializes in hospitality design, told Business Insider. Readinger is already designing restaurant concepts that fit the bill by pairing romantic reinterpretations of vintage design with "techno-apocalyptic shadow" elements. Think midcentury modernism meets "Mad Max," or Hollywood Regency mixed with "Blade Runner." The trend offers customers a way to enjoy both classic and fresh design elements, Readinger said, allowing patrons to live out spacey cantina fantasies — like being served drinks by a humanoid robot — while falling back on the familiarity and comfort of classic pleather booths and checkered floors. And droids are definitely allowed in these establishments: At the Tesla Diner, an Optimus robot served popcorn to guests, though the staff gave mixed reports about whether it had a human operator. Kura Sushi, an interactive conveyor-belt restaurant that gamifies your dining experience with collectible swag, has bots that deliver drinks and specialty orders. Chipotle rolled out and is refining its Autocado robots, which cut, core, and peel avocados for guacamole, while McDonald's first robotic restaurant opened in 2023. "Fast casual and fast food will definitely optimize — that's where the largest amount of automation with robotics is going to happen," JP Lacroix, president of the branding firm and design agency, SLD, told Business Insider. That's because, for consumers in those categories, value comes from how quickly and cheaply you can be served a filling meal, he added. Trending now: dinner Advancements in artificial intelligence, combined with burgeoning sentiment analysis — which uses AI to determine your mood and how to respond to you based on the tone of your voice and other context clues — will make it easier for human hospitality staff to ensure your night out is one to remember. Right now, sentiment analysis is being deployed widely in banking and customer service fields, usually in automated telephone lines, Lacroix said. Think about that the next time you scream "representative!" "So if you're really upset, the system will pick up on that, and they won't make you wait," Lacroix said. "At restaurants, they're going to be able to analyze that you're coming in for a birthday party and decide: how do you experience that? That shareable, memorable experience for a birthday party is a very different experience than if you're going on a date for the first time." For back-of-house staff, deploying artificial intelligence to analyze data, such as purchasing details, rates of food spoilage, and consumer trends, is also already leading to new menu innovations, Bo Davis, CEO of restaurant tech company MarginEdge and founder of WasabiSushi, told Business Insider. Imagine what a chef could prepare, knowing strawberries are on sale and the filets need to be eaten by the next dinner service. Add whatever's trending on TikTok, and you've got that night's special. 'Can (A)I take your order?' Ordering kiosks are already the norm at fast-casual chains, and downloading menus or making payments via QR code is a popular method at other locations. But with advancements in AI scaling rapidly, ordering and payment systems are on the brink of a total overhaul. Steve Carlin, CEO of AiFi, told Business Insider that cashierless transactions are becoming increasingly accessible through improvements in spatial AI. His company uses camera systems no more obtrusive than existing security cams to help retail spaces and restaurants track and predict consumer behavior — so you can walk into a quick-serve location like Starbucks, grab a pre-made meal or drink, and walk out without needing to swipe your card at all. AiFi's camera-only checkout system is already in place at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. Whole Foods has its own cashierless checkout technology, requiring just a scan of a customer's palm to accept payment. Carlin said similar tech is being adopted in the restaurant industry now. And AI will soon be the norm for taking orders at fast casual and quick service restaurants, the experts told Business Insider. Krishna Gupta, the cofounder of Presto, an AI-driven automation provider for drive-thru restaurants, told Business Insider he expects there to be no human operators taking orders at drive-thrus within the next three years. The technology is already being rolled out at major chains like Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. These advancements might not take over the industry overnight, but they're steadily gaining ground, moving from test runs to wider adoption, simmering toward the mainstream before most diners even realize the heat is rising. Justin Falciola, former CTO at CKE Restaurants and Papa John's, is now president of the digital food sales software Deliverect. He told Business Insider we're just scratching the surface of how AI and other tech innovations will reshape the average dining experience. "We're in this moment, and things are moving so fast — it's kind of like when the iPhone appeared, and three years after it appeared, you're like, 'Did that just happen?' — I think we're literally in that moment in the restaurant industry," Falciola said. Printers in the kitchen If robot servers and AI order-takers aren't futuristic enough, just wait until chefs start printing your dinner. "The 3D printing you see in 'Star Trek?' You know, where they punch buttons in and food comes out? That's doable now, it's just not cost-effective," Lacroix said. Two-dimensional edible printers already exist at a commercial scale, capable of printing images on food items with edible ink. Multiple healthtech start-ups and major institutions, including NASA, are exploring ways to scale up 3D printing technology to manufacture meals using edible filaments so the tech can be used for long-duration space missions and other applications. Several companies, such as Nanotronics and MatterShift, are working on technologies that can rearrange particles to create anything from food and drink to fertilizers and batteries. "Talk about customization to the nth degree," Lacroix said. "They'll be able to print your steak, cook it at the temperature you want, with the right amount of fat for you."
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Lacroix Upholds Role Of UN Peacekeeping In Lebanon And Syria
Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed journalists on his recent visit to the two countries ahead of Security Council meetings on the extension of the mandates of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan. He said UNIFIL 'has been working very hard' in the wake of the cessation of hostilities. Achievements in Lebanon The agreement last November between Lebanon and Israel followed more than a year of fighting on Lebanese territory between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces, linked to the war in Gaza. 'I believe that there are a number of achievements that have been realized with the support of UNIFIL,' he said. Mr. Lacroix reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have continued to strengthen their presence south of the Litani river, with UNIFIL's support. The Mission has also worked to identify and neutralize weapon caches. Furthermore, UNIFIL also continues to play a critical liaison and de-conflicting role between the LAF and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and supports the local population, including through mine action and clearing roads. While highlighting these achievements, he stressed that more needs to be done to achieve the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), which defines UNIFIL's mandate, noting that violations continue. Mr. Lacroix also interacted with the Lebanese authorities who 'unequivocally' upheld the critical need for the Mission's continuous presence. His visit also coincided with last days in office of UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, who he praised for heading the Mission 'during extremely, extremely challenging times.' He also welcomed incoming Force Commander Diodato Abagnara and wished him all the best going forward. Developments in Syria Meanwhile, UNDOF continues its 'critically important' role liaising between the Syrian and Israeli authorities and working to resolve the conflict. He said the presence of the IDF in the so-called area of separation is a violation as only UNDOF can have a military presence there, according to the 1973 Designation of Forces Agreement. Mr. Lacroix interacted with senior officials from the interim authorities in Syria who expressed support for UNDOF, adding that communication between them has improved. 'At the same time, I heard very clearly from the Syrian authorities that they are ready to assume the full authority of the whole of Syrian territory, including deploying the military and security presence to all the Syrian territory,' he said. 'That includes the area where UNDOF is, of course, according to and consistent with the provisions of the 1973 Agreement.' He welcomed this 'expression of readiness' while emphasizing that UNDOF's goal is a return to the full implementation of the accord.
Shafaq News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN: Sudan Conflict could spill into CAR
The civil war in Sudan is beginning to spill over into neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), raising fresh security concerns in a country already grappling with internal conflict, the United Nations warned on Thursday. UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council that an attack which killed a UN peacekeeper near CAR's northeastern border last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' It was the first official attribution of the assault to fighters linked to the ongoing Sudanese conflict. Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal power struggle since April 2023 between the country's military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting has killed at least 24,000 people, displaced over 13 million, and left much of the country on the brink of famine and disease, including a growing cholera outbreak. Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes. Lacroix noted that while there have been gains in integrating some armed factions into CAR's peace process, violence by rebel groups continues to jeopardize stability, particularly along the country's fragile borders. 'The security situation remains tenuous in border areas in the northeast,' he said. 'Instability in the region bordering Sudan is being driven by the spillover from the Sudanese conflict.'
Al-Ahram Weekly
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UN peacekeeping chief warns Sudan conflict spilling into Central African Republic - War in Sudan
The conflict in Sudan is spilling across its southwestern border into Central African Republic, a country already battered by its own conflict with rebels, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned Thursday. Undersecretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the UN Security Council that the attack that killed a UN peacekeeper near the country's border with Sudan last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' His comments were the first identifying Sudanese armed fighters as responsible for the attack on the peacekeepers. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said in a new report to the Security Council that vehicles suspected of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces — the key actors in Sudan's civil war — were sighted on several occasions in the areas of Am Dafok and Aouk (Vakaga Prefecture) of Central African Republic, where UN peacekeepers are present. In the report covering the period from mid-February to mid-June, Guterres said, 'In the northeast (of CAR), armed incursions linked to the conflict in the Sudan continued.' Sudan plunged into civil war when rival generals heading the country's armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started fighting each other in mid-April 2023. Since then, at least 24,000 people have died, about 13 million Sudanese have fled their homes, famine is setting in and cholera is sweeping across the country. Both sides have been accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, CAR has been battling conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. It is among the first countries in Africa to welcome Russia-backed forces, with Moscow seeking to help protect authorities and fight armed groups. Lacroix, the UN peacekeeping chief, said that while progress is being made with some groups on reintegrating into CAR's peace process, violence by armed groups and militias continues, compromising stability and posing a significant threat to civilians. He said the government continues to collaborate with MINUSCA — the UN's peacekeeping operation in CAR — on extending and enhancing its presence throughout the country and improving security in border areas. 'Despite these efforts, the security situation remains tenuous in border areas in the northeast,' Lacroix said. 'In the border region with Sudan, instability continues to be characterized by the spillover of the Sudanese conflict.' With general elections expected to be held in December, the political situation remains 'punctuated by mistrust and tensions between the majority in power and opposition,' Lacroix said. The elections represent a 'crucial opportunity' to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, he added. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
27-06-2025
- Politics
UN peacekeeping chief warns that conflict in Sudan is spilling into Central African Republic
UNITED NATIONS -- The conflict in Sudan is spilling across its southwestern border into Central African Republic, a country already battered by its own conflict with rebels, the United Nations peacekeeping chief warned Thursday. Undersecretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the U.N. Security Council that the attack that killed a U.N. peacekeeper near the country's border with Sudan last Friday was carried out by 'armed Sudanese elements.' His comments were the first identifying Sudanese armed fighters as responsible for the attack on the peacekeepers. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said in a new report to the Security Council that vehicles suspected of belonging to the Rapid Support Forces — the key actors in Sudan's civil war — were sighted on several occasions in the areas of Am Dafok and Aouk (Vakaga Prefecture) of Central African Republic, where U.N. peacekeepers are present. In the report covering the period from mid-February to mid-June, Guterres said, 'In the northeast (of CAR), armed incursions linked to the conflict in the Sudan continued.' Sudan plunged into civil war when rival generals heading the country's armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started fighting each other in mid-April 2023. Since then, at least 24,000 people have died, about 13 million Sudanese have fled their homes, famine is setting in and cholera is sweeping across the country. Both sides have been accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, CAR has been battling conflict since 2013, when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced then President François Bozizé from office. It is among the first countries in Africa to welcome Russia-backed forces, with Moscow seeking to help protect authorities and fight armed groups. Lacroix, the U.N. peacekeeping chief, said that while progress is being made with some groups on reintegrating into CAR's peace process, violence by armed groups and militias continues, compromising stability and posing a significant threat to civilians. He said the government continues to collaborate with MINUSCA — the U.N.'s peacekeeping operation in CAR — on extending and enhancing its presence throughout the country and improving security in border areas. 'Despite these efforts, the security situation remains tenuous in border areas in the northeast,' Lacroix said. 'In the border region with Sudan, instability continues to be characterized by the spillover of the Sudanese conflict.' With general elections expected to be held in December, the political situation remains 'punctuated by mistrust and tensions between the majority in power and opposition,' Lacroix said. The elections represent a 'crucial opportunity' to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, he added.
